GLASSES, NO GLASSES

(2014) Pimenta Music

Amanda Ruzza ( electric bass and pedals) *  Mauricio Zottarelli (drums, percussion, FSA Cajon)  * Leo Genovese (Rhodes, Piano, Organ, Analog Keyboards, Saxophones and pedals)

After years of playing together in NYC, electric bassist Amanda Ruzza and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli have joined forces on their provocative release Glasses, No Glasses on Ruzza’s Pimenta Music label. A radical departure from the buoyant sambas, bossa novas and choros that the two principals have been closely associated with in past outings, this spontaneous jam in the studio defies all stereotypes while revealing different musical sides of the two Brazilian compatriots now living in New York City. A no-holds-barred effects-laden jam that recalls aspects of P-Funk, Medeski, Martin & Wood and Weather Report, Glasses, No Glasses was recorded in just two days with guest keyboardist-saxophonist Leo Genovese.
The first day was essentially a spontaneous collective improvisation in the studio. The three seasoned musicians met ostensibly to record a two-minute video demonstrating Amanda's and Leo's effects pedals. But while testing the analog gear, they became so swept away by their loose-tight trio chemistry in the room that they ended up playing non-stop for an hour. That "hour" of recorded music yielded five tracks -- “Soundcheck,” “Glasses,” “No Glasses,” “Sugar High” and “Everybody’s Talking.” The first track of the recording was the actual soundcheck to the studio engineer. As the trio listened back in the control room, they decided to keep it going, and in two studio days the record was done.